3 posts categorized "Stationary"

08 September 2010

Whenever I watch an old movie, or a new movie set in a by~gone era, I always hope for a "Telegram Scene". Take, for example, in The Age of Innocence. Newland Archer visits Ellen Olenska in her home and there is the heart~rending exchange between them: he admits he is in love with her, and she with him, but she is a married woman separated from an evil man, and he is engaged to marry her cousin May...

(He's holding her. He kisses her and she kisses him back passionately. She breaks away and they stare at each other. Then she shakes her head.)

ARCHER: "No! Everything is different. Do you see me marrying May now?"

ELLEN: "Would you ask her that question? Would you?. . . Newland. You couldn't be happy if it meant being cruel. If we act any other way I'll be making you act against what I love in you most. And I can't go back to that way of thinking. Don't you see? I can't love you unless I give you up."

(They look at each other for a moment more. Then Ellen picks up a bell and rings for the maid. The maid enters carrying Ellen's cloak and hat, and a telegram)

MAID: (in Italian) "This was delivered."

(Ellen takes the envelope, reads it and hands it to Archer)

MAY: (via Telegram to Ellen from St. Augustine) "Granny's telegram was successful. Papa and Mama agreed to marriage after Easter. Only a month! I will telegraph Newland. I'm too happy for words and love you dearly. Your grateful cousin, May. "

(In the drawing room at Ellen's house that night. Archer reads the telegram and crumples it up in disappointment. . . )*

Ah, the power and romance of "The Telegram". At an age when telephones were rare, email was the way a foreigner tried to ask for his mail when he was far from home, and texting was a word used by letterpresses and stationary houses in reference to font preference, the telegram was one of the foremost means of long~distance communication. Treaties were signed. Hearts were broken. And everything else in between can be found typed onto those little paper remnants from the past.

01 March 2009

*Many of you who know me know that I am a tad obsessed with Vintage Clothing. . .especially from the 1940s thru the 1960s. I love to watch movies from those eras just to see the clothes, hair styles, cars, restaurants, etc. I think I was born in the wrong year. . .as in 20 years too late!! (Although that would put me coming up on the big 60 rather than the big 40 so I guess I'll take 1967!)

Here are a few fantastic Vintage Clothing Images modeled by the one and only Barbie!! I bought these notecards as a gift for my daughter (Graphique de France) and have been fighting for them ever since!

07 April 2008

Check out this great Vintage cardtable my mom scored at a yard sale for $5.00! "Thou shalt not covet" I keep telling myself! I love the picture~~it looks like a Farmer's Market in Europe. And I just love the red dress on the lady walking the dog~~so vintage!

This is the back of it.

Does anyone recognize anything in the picture? I'd love to find out how old it is so if you have any info please leave a comment!

And look at this Vintage sweater I scored at a little shop that I frequent:

The bead work is amazing and in excellent condition. What a perfect time of year to wear something so pretty & feminine!

(If spring ever actually arrives, that is!)

Here are some goodies I've found lately. . .the book is French which I cannot read to save my life but it has beautiful photographs and it is my favorite shade of blue! The note cards are taken from the book Lawrence Alma~Tadema by RJ Barrow and are titled "Luxury & Decadence". . .there are 16 different images and they are all stunning!

Of course the Spring issue of Victoria which I am very pleased is back however I must quietly admit there is something missing this time around with it's publication. . .has anyone else thought/felt so? It's well done but it just seems, or should I say, it feels like there is something missing and I am not sure what. Any thoughts?

I found the labels at Homegoods for under $5.00 each and just had to bring them home. . .my daughter and I used some to tag our luggage when we traveled in February. I love to find pictures of old suitcases covered with stickers from all around the world! They don't stick quite as well to nylon, though. Another downside of modern travel gear, I guess.

Hmm, what else can I find?

Oooooh, this is a good one! A few years ago I bought a beautiful little black suede Vintage purse made in Spain. When I got home I looked in the tiny pocket and found this stamp inside. . .why did she save it? Who is John F. Donovan? Did she meet him in Hong Kong? Did they ever meet? Was it a last love letter before her wedding to another?

I think the mystery of it all is delightful! This is another goodie I would like to find out about. Maybe the postal mark has a date on it? Once again I find myself wishing I spoke another language!!

My curiosity about the past of Vintage treasures is probably the most intriguing part of collecting. That and wondering how in the world a size 12 in the 1950's came with a 26" waist! Where would that put a modern size 12 in that era? Yikes! How Americans have grown!